The luxury of carpets

There is something very luxurious about carpets.  Tiles are great and wooden floors very trendy but the the soft touch of a thick lush carpet under foot first thing in the morning just is a great way to get your day going.

We spoke to the experts at Van Dyck carpets about the latest rug and carpet trends. Liz Myakayaka answered a few questions for us:

Q: What are the trends as far as carpets are concerned?

A: “Carpeting trends continue to move towards softer, textured and more luxurious looks, mainly cut pile. Texture-sculpted carpets in contemporary patterns are most distinctive. In terms of colour, shades of grey and natural or earthy colours for wall-to-wall carpeting and bold colours and designs for rugs seem to be more popular. South Africa gets its inspiration on flooring trends, textiles and fashion from the international market.  Although the overseas market is a few years ahead of us, their trends remain a great force for our market.” 

Q: Please explain the different types of carpets.

A: “Cut pile carpets have a smoother appearance as the loops are cut to provide a softer finish. They can be plush and velvety or have a more relaxed appearance. They offer real luxury underfoot. Cut pile carpets are most suitable for lower traffic areas where lavish comfort is desired, such as in bedrooms or lounges. An example of such in the Van Dyck range is Extravagance; a plush cut Saxony for extravagant simplicity.

Cut-loop pile carpets are a combination style, which creates an interesting sculptured look. It’s great for areas where you want to make a real feature of the floor. It is also suitable for lower traffic areas.

Loop pile carpets have closed loops, which tend to create a dense, irregular or smooth structured surface that is hard wearing. Where different sized loops are made, a subtle pattern is created. A loop pile style that is very popular is the Berber look and has a chunky, almost handmade effect. Van Dyck “Berberesque” and “Kashmir” products fit this description.

Loop pile carpets are also suitable for higher traffic areas such as stairs, entrance halls and passages and for contract environments.” 

Q: What products do you have available and which ones are most popular?

A: “Van Dyck offers the following product ranges:

Residential carpets: we have a very comprehensive range of tufted and woven carpeting that is designed for home with the main focus on style, feel and colour and with price ranging from very affordable to more expensive. 

Commercial carpets: we also have a very wide range of carpets that is more suitable for offices or public spaces and is extremely hardwearing. We offer these products either in broadloom or tiles. Carpet tiles are gaining popularity because of the fact that they are easier to fit and replace and therefore more suitable for refurbishments. 

DIY carpets: we also offer a range of Peel & Stick carpet tiles that can be used at home and the benefit with these products that they can be installed easily and therefore there is no need to call on a professional installer.

Underlay’s: Van Dyck has an underlay called ECO-LAY. Eco-lay products are manufactured from the finest quality recycled rubber granules that are bonded together using synthetic rubber binders. They are not air-filled and therefore do not easily collapse. They are environmentally friendly and fully recyclable.  

Grass carpets: Tiger Turf by Van Dyck is a range of artificial turf for sport and leisure application. It is the perfect lawn with little effort or maintenance. It needs no water, no fertilizers and no chemicals like weed killers and definitely no need for lawn mowers which reduces your electricity consumption and carbon emission. One of the popular ranges of Tiger Turf is called Vision which is soft to touch and safe for the family and pets to play and relax on. Vision is manufactured using recycled plastic bottles.” 

Q: What would you say are the advantages of having carpets as a floor covering?

A: “Carpet flooring helps with the sound level and insulates entire rooms. It also provides a soft surface for children or elderly people who are prone to falls. Carpeting can also be more economical than other flooring choices and can make a room look warm, inviting and finished. It is also warm on the feet, which is an advantage for cooler climates. A clean, dry and well-maintained carpet improves indoor air quality and proper maintenance of your carpet improves the quality of the air that you breathe.” 

Q: What type of maintenance do carpets require?

A: “Your carpet can last longer if you follow the right maintenance routine and using the right carpet in the right area. Every Van Dyck carpet is tested and graded for a specific use. Following are handy tips to prolonging the life-span of your Van Dyck carpet: 

• A routine of regular vacuuming (at least 3 times a week but daily in high traffic areas), a professional clean every 12-18 months, and immediate removal of spots and stains should start as soon as your carpet is laid. The longer you delay to remove a carpet stain, the more difficult it becomes to remove the stain therefore quick action is the best remedy. You remove as much of the offending material from the carpet with a spoon if it is thick or sticky. If it is a wet stain, blot it with a paper towel and apply pressure with the heel of your hand. You should never rub it! 

• You can also find reliable carpet cleaners which are available from most retail chain stores.

• Use a good quality vacuum cleaner with a strong suction action. Vacuum slowly and empty the vacuum bag regularly. Fluff caused by loose fibres left in the pile during manufacturing will gradually settle with use and vacuuming. 

• Loose threads should never be pulled. Cut them off immediately to stop them being pulled in by the vacuum cleaner.

• Protect your carpet from direct sunlight by using sun-filters or drawing the curtains.

• Protect your carpet from sharp edges that could damage the pile.

• When shampoo-cleaning make sure that no shampoo is left behind as it will attract dirt quicker.

• Walk-off mats at entrances will trap dirt and prevent it being walked onto fitted carpets.”

Q: What must one keep in mind when choosing a carpet for a specific area?

A: “Rich tones look smart in living and dining areas as they make a real style statement. They also make a space appear larger. Softer shades are ideal for the bedrooms. Light colours make a room appear brighter and lighter while dark colours make a room seem smaller and more intimate. Carpet colours can also be affected by the lighting in a room. Pattern and colour blends do not show soiling and footprints as much as solid colours do and they tend to also limit other design development in a space so it is best to get expert assistance when making a selection.” 

Q: Can carpets be used in the bathroom? 

A: “Wall-to-wall carpet in the bathroom is not recommended not only because moisture is the enemy of every carpet but because the mere feel of wet feet on carpet is enough to eek anyone out. A rug is still a better choice for bathroom usage. Bathroom mats made from synthetic fibres are of better use as they prevent mould, rotting and microbes.” 

Although carpets are often seen as old fashioned, there is still a big market for this lovely floor covering that has withstood the test of time. Hope you find one that will suit your home!